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Gatorball offers competitive travel teams, 9U thru 18U. We are looking for serious players, willing to train hard, do things the right way, and compete with and against the top talent in the country. Tryouts for 9U thru 14U are held in December (Spring Season) and May-June (Fall Season). Tryouts for 15U, 16U, 17U, & 18U Summer Teams are held in November (registration below) and in August for the Fall Season.

2024 Summer Travel Team Tryouts: 17U-16U-15U

This event is an opportunity for the top high school baseball players in North Central Florida and beyond to showcase their skills in front of college and professional scouts during the summer of 2024.  All players interested in being considered for one of our rosters must attend.

Register Here

2024 fall baseball tryouts: 8u, 9u, 10u, 11u, 12u, 13u, 14u, 2024 spring travel baseball tryouts: 8u, 9u, 10u, 11u, 12u, 13u, 14u.

Players being considered for our 2023 Travel Teams must participate in the Spring Training Program .

2024 Softball Tryouts: 10u-12u-14u-16u

2024 fall high school tryouts: .

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2024 Spring Travel Baseball Page

2024 SM River Rats Travel Baseball Program

We are proud to announce our SM River Rats 2024 Travel Baseball Program!  This will be our 10th season and we expect to grow again!  Our organization has built a program built on fundamentals, team work, academics and hard work!   

Fundamentals:  We offer indoor winter training practices November thru March for all teams.  These practices are all aligned on our key philosophies and drills/techniques.   We will focus on team skill work, pitching & catching and hitting.  

Team Work:   We firmly believe that we need to put each player in a position where they can be successful and contribute to the team success!   We are a TEAM first organization and each player needs to understand how they contribute to it's success.  

Hard Work:   We EXPECT players to work hard to improve their skills.  This includes baseball specific training, getting faster and getting stronger.  We want to emphasize that hard work is what helps you achieve your goals and you need to work extremely hard to reach them.  

Academics:  Our organization understands that at some point, sports come to an end.  Academics should be the players first priority and something they work extremely hard to do the best that they can.  We recognize outstanding academic success and talk about the importance of this during our season.  

2024 SM River Rats Travel Baseball Tryout Registration

Tryout dates, times and locations.

Below is our plan for tryout dates/times/locations.  We will be adding more dates to this list.

Openings by Age Group

8U:  Several Openings

9U:  1 Openings

11U:  1 Openings

12U:  4 (between 3 teams)

14U:  5 (between 2 teams) *Email Jason Lariviere at [email protected] for a private workout for the 14U openings.

What Does a Typically SM River Rats Travel Season Consist Of?

We strongly feel that we offer the most skill development, games, tournaments and instruction for our baseball players.  Here is a summary of what you get per age division;

8U Age Teams

Program Details:   Training will run January thru mid-April with all practices out of Hitters Count Training Facility in Saco ME.  The game season will consist of games on Sundays from mid-April until early June.  These will be games against other local travel organizations with 8U teams.  

9U-12U Age Teams

• Winter Training Program:  We will start early Winter Training in November in 2023.  During that time, we will have 4 hitting practices along with 4 "Catchers Only" practices during the same time period!  Our full winter training program runs January thru March.  This will consist of 1 team practice at Gorham Sports Center and 1 hitting practice at Hitters Count training facility.
• New Balance Select Baseball Regular Season:  We start our regular season the first weekend in April, 2024 (Pending Weather).    The regular season ends at the end of May.
• New Balance Select Baseball Playoffs:  If a team qualifies, we start the playoffs the first weekend in June 2024.  If our team wins the bracket on playoff weekend, they make the New Balance Select Championship on the following Saturday!
• Tournaments:  All teams are entered into 1 Competitive Tournament.  We carefully choose tournaments which will challenge our teams!  This only makes them better and we want to see how they do against the best talent around!  

13U-14U Age Teams

• Winter Training Program:   We will start early Winter Training in November in 2023.  During that time, we will have 4 hitting practices along with 4 "Catchers Only" practices during the same time period!  Our full winter training program runs January thru March.  This will consist of 1 team practice at Gorham Sports Center and 1 hitting practice at Hitters Count training facility.
• New Balance Select Baseball Regular Season:  We start our regular season the first weekend in April, 2024 (Pending Weather).    The regular season ends at the beginning of July
• New Balance Select Baseball Playoffs:  If a team qualifies, we start the playoffs the 2nd weekend in July.   If our team wins the bracket on playoff weekend, they make the New Balance Select Championship on the following Saturday!
• Tournaments:  All teams are entered into a minimum of 1 Competitive Tournament.  We carefully choose tournaments which will challenge our teams!  This only makes them better and we want to see how they do against the best talent around!  Examples of some tournaments we have entered in the past are Baseball Heaven, Perfect Game, New England Baseball Complex Tournaments, etc.  

15U-19U Age Teams

• Winter Training Program:    We will start early Winter Training in November in 2023.  During that time, we will have 4 hitting practices along with 4 "Catchers Only" practices during the same time period!  Our full winter training program runs January thru March.  This will consist of 1 team practice at Gorham Sports Center and 1 hitting practice at Hitters Count training facility.
• Showcase Level Teams:   These teams will have specialized training starting in the fall and are led by Showcase Director, Colton Lawrence. These practices will focus on high level training sessions designed for specific positions. We will utilize HitTrax, Rapsodo and other tools to get some objective hitting/pitching measurements that we can track and build plans on how to improve each player.  In the summer players will have a jam-packed schedule. These events will be some of the best tournaments & College exposure camps in the region. Our Southern Maine River Rats Showcase program has established itself as one of the tops programs in the region. To see the players we have helped go to college to pursue the baseball playing dreams, visit the link below.

Link:   https://www.riverratsbaseball.com/page/show/4692275-college-commitment-page

• New Balance Select Baseball Regular Season:   Only our 15U & 17U secondary teams will be entered into the New Balance Select League.  If we have a high performing 15U & 17U team, it will be a tournament team only.  Our 15U-19U Showcase teams will be participating in Showcase Tournaments and College Camps only.
• New Balance Select Baseball Playoffs:   If the 15U & 17U secondary teams qualify, we start the playoffs in late July.   If our team wins the bracket on playoff weekend, they make the New Balance Select Championship on the following Saturday!
• Tournaments and College Events:   Our top 15U-19U teams will participate in Showcase Type Tournaments.  We will enter each team into 4-5 tournaments throughout the summer.   Examples of tournaments we have entered are the Boston Open, Perfect Game WWBA, Blue Chip Prospects at Diamond Nation, etc.  College Team camps have taken place at Boston College, UCONN, UMAINE and other top colleges in the Northeast.  We will also host our annual private SM River Rats Scout Day for our showcase level teams, which numerous colleges/universities attend. Our main goal is to get the players exposed to college recruiters and provide them with the information that will help them get to the next level.  

2022 Spring Travel Team Age Requirements

Age Requirements

7U-12U Developmental:  Player needs to be 7 or younger on or before May 1st, 2023.

9U:  Player needs to be 9 or younger on May 1st, 2023. 

10U:   Player needs to be 10 or younger on May 1st, 2023.

11U:  Player needs to be 11 or younger on May 1st, 2023.

12U:  Player needs to be 12 or younger on May 1st, 2023.

13U:  Player needs to be 13 or younger on May 1st, 2023.

14U:  Player needs to be 14 or younger on May 1st, 2023. 

15U:  Player needs to be 15 or younger on May 1st, 2023.

16U:  Player needs to be 16 or younger on May 1st, 2023.

17U:  Player needs to be 17 or younger on May 1st, 2023.

18U/19U:  Player needs to be 19 or younger on May 1st, 2023.

Check out what the SM River Rats are all about!!!

2024 payment plans.

We will offer several payment plans to choose from for the 2024 season.  We also offer a 1-2 "Fundraising for Fees" event which is outlined after these payment plans.  The payment plans can be viewed once you are offered and accept a roster spot for the 2024 season.

National Tournament Opportunities

As we have done in the past, we are open to and have organized National Tournaments for both our SM River Rats Baseball Players and Players outside of our organization via Hitters Count Select.  We will continue to offer these throughout the winter and spring months!  More to come!

Questions on our travel program?

If any questions on our 2024 Travel Baseball Program, please contact Jason Lariviere at;

Email:  [email protected] 

Cell:  207-274-1417

Unlimited Cage Rentals for SMRR Players

All SM River Rats Baseball and Softball Players will have free cage time (30 minutes) at Hitters Count Training Facility in Saco from the moment they accept a roster spot until the season ends!  

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are just some of the common questions we get asked about our program;

• Are the winter training practices mandatory and is there a penalty for missing them?   Winter training practices are NOT mandatory and there is NO penalty for missing them.  While it is a large part of our program, we understand that families have other commitments including other sports or hobbies.
• Is there a minimum playing time rule?  Yes, the minimum playing time rule is 50% for all players throughout the season.  A player may come up short during a weekend and the idea is the coach will make that up over the next couple of weeks.  
• Does the minimum playing time rule change for Tournaments and/or Playoffs?  Yes, if a team is playing in a Tournament Finals or the EBL playoffs, the only guarantee is an appearance.  
• How many games do you play throughout the season?  For our 9U-12U teams, our goal is 20 or more games.  For our 13U-14U teams, our goal is 30 or more games.  For the 15U-19U teams, we aim to attend 3-6 tournaments along with playing some doubleheaders.  
• Do games conflict with Town League or School Ball?  For the most part, we schedule around their schedules.   For the 9U-12U teams, we play double headers on both Saturdays and Sundays only up until Town Leagues start games (typically the last weekend of April).  Once Town Leagues start their games, we mostly play on just Sundays.  Occasionally, a rained out double header will be played on a Saturday but we try to play in the evening to avoid town games.  If your team makes the playoffs, these are hosted the first weekend in June and will take place on Saturday and Sunday.  As for school ball, typically middle school does not play on weekends so we don't have any conflicts with that season.  New this year, all freshman will be on a 15U or higher age team which starts the first week of June to avoid conflicts during their high school seasons.

Fundraising

For the 2024 Travel Season, we will have 2 fundraising events.  One will be "optional" and the other will be "mandatory".

Optional Fundraiser 

We have completed a "Fundraising for Fees" event each season which has helped parents off-set some of the tuition costs for the season.  Some parents have raised $500-$700 towards their fees!  This is how it works;

• We organize and run a fundraiser.  Each year, this has typically been with coupon booklets from Maine Athletic Fundraising.
• You decide whether you want to participate and ask for a certain amount of booklets to sell.  No worries if you take too much or not enough, you can return them and we can provide you with more if you are selling them well!
• Each booklet is sold for $10 and the booklets has over $10 in savings from local businesses  Examples of booklets from last year was Amatos, Cinemagic and Dunkin Donuts.
• For each booklet that you sell, $5.00 is credited to your tuition!  It is that easy!  

Travel Baseball: The Ultimate Guide for Parents and Players

Table of Contents

What is travel baseball, what to look for in a travel baseball team, travel baseball vs. little league, travel baseball pros and cons , criticisms and controversy, is travel baseball worth it.

For many families, the transition from Little League to travel baseball comes with stress, anxiety and questions about what to look for in a team and what to expect from the experience — not to mention the question of whether making the switch from a more laid-back rec ball program to a more competitive (and expensive) travel club is the right decision in the first place.

In this post, we’re going to go over everything you need to know about getting started with youth travel baseball. We’ll help you answer the questions above and determine whether travel baseball is a good fit for your son or daughter. 

If you have a softball player in the family, you may also want to check out our article “ What to Look For in a Travel Softball Team ,” which covers some of the same information from a softball perspective and dives deep into my personal experience as an elite-level amateur player and college recruiting prospect.

Table of Contents :

• How to Choose a Travel Baseball Team
• Travel Baseball Pros and Cons
• Is Travel Baseball Worth It?  

First, it’s important to understand what a travel baseball team is and how travel baseball is organized. 

There are tens of thousands of travel baseball teams around the country, and their popularity has exploded over the past two decades. As recently as the 1990s, travel baseball was a niche experience limited mostly to elite players in baseball-rich areas like Texas and California. Today, participation is seen by many as a near necessity for talented players to develop their skills and hone their game against the best competition they can find. 

Whereas Little League is the dominant organization when it comes to recreational youth baseball, there are multiple organizations throughout the country that host hundreds of travel tournaments each year. Some of the biggest and most popular are USSSA (United States Speciality Sports Association), AAU (Amateur Athletic Union), Triple Crown Sports , and Perfect Game . Travel baseball teams often participate in tournaments organized by more than one of those organizations. 

A team can be started by anyone. Many are formed by parents, but many others are formed by high school and former college coaches. Depending on their organizational goals, some programs have just one team that participates in one age bracket (such as 10 and under), while some are run like businesses and have teams that compete in every age group. 

Some huge organizations, such as California Baseball Academy (CBA), even have multiple teams within the same age group, located in multiple cities. CBA has teams not only in California, but also in Nevada, Texas, Utah and the southeast. High-level programs like that are often known for attracting top talent, for training recruits into elite players, and for feeding those players into nearby colleges and universities. 

Travel Baseball Competition Structure

Virtually all travel baseball games are played on weekends in a tournament format. Those tournaments can theoretically be held anywhere, but are frequently held at multi-field facilities in easily-accessible travel hubs. For example, many Florida tournaments are held in Orlando because it’s in the relative center of the state, it has plenty of hotel rooms, and it’s home to many great baseball facilities. The farther you live away from such a hub, the more you should expect to travel. 

Most tournaments begin with pool play, meaning that teams are guaranteed a number of games before heading into single elimination. A team can expect to play anywhere from three to eight games over the course of a two-day or three-day tournament, depending on how they perform.

There is no set number of tournaments a team must participate in. Each team decides which tournaments to enter on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration factors such as age level, skill level, and cost. In general, two tournaments per month can be seen as about average, although higher-level teams may play more frequently. 

Most organizations run regional and national championships, which are invite-only. For example, USSSA hosts “qualifier” tournaments, where the winner of the championship game (and sometimes the runner up) can earn a bid to the USSSA national tournament.

Additionally, beginning at age 14, some teams start participating in “college exposure tournaments,” where college scouts come from across the country to watch and evaluate prospects. These tournaments are typically more expensive than regular tournaments, and are often farther away.

How to Join a Travel Baseball Team

If you’ve decided to join a travel baseball team and aren’t sure where to find one, there are a number of resources available. 

It may go without saying, but word-of-mouth can be a valuable first reference point. If you’re thinking about switching to travel baseball, chances are that you already know someone in your area who has made the jump. If so, don’t be afraid to ask them questions about the team and their experience. It’s a big commitment — both in terms of time and finances — so it’s important to make sure you find the right club for your son or daughter.

In addition to word of mouth, many organizations offer a list of active teams on their website. For example, USSSA has a tool that lets you filter teams by age level, skill level, and location . There are also many state-based forums and Facebook groups where coaches post their team’s tryouts (and positions needed). As an example, here are Facebook groups for travel baseball teams in Florida and Michigan ⁠— you can find similar groups for every state. 

Another good option is FieldLevel.com , which (like the USSSA site) allows you to filter teams by state and level. While not every team is listed on that website, it does include over 4,000 clubs.

Here are eight things to think about when evaluating teams. These factors will make a big difference when it comes to your overall experience, so take the time to think about them, and don’t be afraid to ask questions of parents and coaches.

1. Coaching  

A coaching staff can make or break a team. How coaches manage players, keep the game fun, instill the fundamentals, and focus on development — not only as athletes, but as young men and women — is extremely important. 

Some travel baseball teams have parents or grandparents serving as the head coach. While that can be fine, it’s important to make sure those coaches don’t make keeping their own child on the field a priority. Before committing to a team, spend some time researching it by watching a practice and talking to current and/or former players and parents. 

What’s the coaching style? Do they have high expectations but still encourage and love their players? Or, on the other hand, are they screaming at players when they make a mistake? 

Additionally, are players treated equitably, or do some get preferential treatment based on their relationship to the coach or their financial contribution to the team?

Ideally, your child will be a part of that team and organization for consecutive years, rather than bouncing from team to team. As such, determining whether the coaching staff is a good fit is a crucial first step.

2. Cost  

For many parents, this is the most terrifying aspect of travel baseball.

Just how much of a toll is this going to take on your bank account? The specific answer varies, but the typical range of cost for participating in travel baseball is between $500 and $2,500 per year. 

That said, you can end up spending a lot more than that. Back in 2011, CBS News reported that one Georgia family paid $4,000 per year for their 9-year-old son’s travel team. You can imagine that older players in elite programs that travel all over the country can spend even more over the course of a season.

Typically, the more intensely focused a program is on developing its players for college baseball, the more money the program is going to cost. On the other hand, teams that are playing more for the fun of it — those looking for just a little more structure and competition than offered by Little League — won’t put as much of a dent in your wallet.

There are a number of specific factors that go into how much it costs to be on a team:

• Where you live . If you live in a baseball hub, like Texas or California, you won’t have to travel as far to get to tournaments. Many teams from rural areas regularly drive across multiple states (or sometimes even fly) to tournaments. As such, where you live will likely be the single biggest variable in your overall travel baseball cost.
• Whether you have to buy your own equipment . Some teams are sponsored by equipment companies like Easton and Rawlings and have their bats, gloves and cleats provided either for free or at a reduced cost. Obviously, this can be a huge savings. Also, keep in mind that (unfortunately) equipment is often viewed as a status symbol in travel baseball. If your child joins a team where every other player has multiple bats and position-specific gloves, he or she is going to press you for similar gear.
• Whether you have to rent facilities . Some teams practice exclusively at public fields. Others have little or no access to such facilities and have to rent fields and/or indoor space (especially for winter workouts). This can have a huge impact on the overall cost of participation.
• Whether or not coaches are paid . Some teams — typically the more competitive ones — pay their coaches small stipends and/or cover their cost of travel. On one hand, this tends to lead to better coaching. On the other hand, families are the ones who will ultimately foot that bill.
• How competitive the team is . Higher-level tournaments typically have higher fees. Lower-level tournaments, operated on a more sub-regional basis, are usually much less expensive to enter. If cost is a concern, make sure you know what types of tournaments the team usually enters over the course of the season. 

3. Location  

As stated earlier, location is a key factor in deciding which travel team to play for. If you’re fortunate enough to live in California, Florida or Texas, you’re going to have a lot of opportunities to play with and against high-level competition right in your backyard. 

But outside of those states, it’s a little bit tougher, and you have to decide how committed you are to playing at the highest possible level. 

For example, if you live in a medium-sized town outside of a major baseball hub, chances are you have at least a couple of travel ball options. However, the odds are that those options are not the absolute cream of the crop when it comes to coaching and competitiveness. In order to play for the absolute “best” team possible, you might have to commute from your mid-sized town to the nearest major city. 

So you’ll be faced with the following choice: play on a lower level team that’s closer to home, or drive a hundred miles or more for twice-weekly practices? It may sound crazy, but many families do just that. 

Why would they commit so much time and money to their son or daughter’s athletic pursuits? It comes down to goals. Better teams often provide better coaching and more opportunities for exposure to college and professional scouts. 

What’s the team’s mission? Is the focus on fun, player development, college exposure, or a mix of all there? Teams can have many different goals and missions, and there’s no right or wrong approach.

However, it is possible that a team’s mission does not align with your values and goals, and you need to think about this before committing, as a compatibility mismatch can lead to coach-parent and coach-player tension. 

5. Organization

Consider the reputation of the organization you’re evaluating. When you join a team, you and your son or daughter will essentially be endorsing everything the program stands for. If they’re known for dirty play or being disrespectful to the game, you’ll be associated with that. 

And believe it or not, the baseball world is a small and surprisingly tight-knit community. College coaches tend to know which programs produce bad apples — and they avoid them. In fact, many college coaches will completely write off an entire organization that has a reputation for not playing the game the right way or for having disrespectful players.

6. Playing Time

There’s an important balance between getting enough playing time and being challenged. Before committing, ask the coaching staff what kind of playing time your child can expect — including at what position. 

If there are two returning shortstops, he or she most likely won’t be playing there and might have to learn another position. That’s not a bad thing: college coaches want players that are versatile, and many players change positions as they get older and their bodies develop. 

Still, it’s helpful to know what to expect ahead of time. Getting game reps is important from a development perspective, but also just from a fun perspective: no kid wants to consistently travel to a tournament only to sit on the bench for most of the weekend. 

7. Skill Level

Be realistic about your child’s skill level, and pay attention to the level of competition around him or her at tryouts (i.e., the skill levels of the other players). If your kid has the fight and desire to compete for a spot (like they’ll have to do if they make it to college ball), then putting them on a team where they’ll be challenged is the best option. 

But if he or she is there to have fun and make friends, with no burning desire to be constantly improving, then choosing a travel team that’s more low-key will be the better call.

8. What You’re Giving Up

Travel baseball tournaments are on weekends, and players often have to sacrifice certain things that are part of a normal childhood. 

Is your son or daughter willing to miss out on things like birthdays, sleepovers and school dances, because most of their time is spent doing homework, traveling to and from games and practices, practicing on their own (possibly including private lessons), and spending nearly every summer weekend at the ballpark?

And are they willing to sacrifice the material things that matter to kids — things like clothes, video games, new smartphones, etc. — because so much money is being spent on baseball? 

As I wrote in THV’s guide to travel softball , my family made major sacrifices to support my athletic pursuits. 

For some, their love of the game is so great that giving up these things is a no-brainer. For others, they may regret missing out on these social activities. And that’s perfectly fine! Just be honest with each other and talk about the true costs of travel baseball — because it’s not just the sticker price.

There are some important similarities and differences between competitive travel baseball and recreational baseball. Both can teach many valuable life skills, such as work ethic, good sportsmanship, teamwork and bouncing back from failure. But they are very different when it comes to time commitment and competitiveness.

The Little League schedule usually runs from the late spring through early summer, with teams practicing twice per week and playing two games per week. The total number of games per season varies, but it usually ranges from 10 to 20. It’s a local program, which means travel is either limited or non-existent. In general, Little League coaches are parents.

Little League can be a great place for kids as young as 4-years-old to start playing the game. They’ll learn the rules and the absolute basics of hitting, pitching and fielding in a fun an easy-going environment (except for the occasional parent that takes their coaching position overboard). 

Overall, Little League fits the classic stereotype of youth baseball: kids having fun playing the greatest game in the world, without much pressure or focus on player development. 

Back in the day, Little League would feed into middle school and high school programs, which carried the bulk of the weight when it came to getting payers ready for college and the pros. But today, the reality is that it’s almost impossible to get the coaching and skill development you need by participating only Little league or other rec ball programs. 

That’s especially true when it comes to the gap between “Majors” Little League (12-and-under) and high school. Few middle schools still have baseball programs, and those programs that do exist tend not to be very good. Likewise, while Little League offers both a Junior division (12-14) and a Senior division (14-16), those leagues tend to pale in comparison to the coaching and competition offered by travel ball. 

So, if your son or daughter is serious about playing baseball at a high level, it’s especially important to focus on the transition to travel ball at around the age of 11 or 12.

There are positives and negatives when it comes to travel baseball. Here are a few of each.

• Better competition : Players are more serious about the game and more driven to improve. This higher level of competition will help push your son or daughter to improve their own skills.
• Better coaching : Travel baseball coaches tend to be better qualified, more knowledgeable, and better-connected. At the highest levels of travel ball, teams often employ former professional coaches.
• More exposure : Aside from high school baseball, travel ball is the primary means of exposure to college coaches and pro scouts. Plus, travel teams often attend showcase tournaments and camps.
• More games played : Travel teams play significantly more games per year than rec ball teams.
• Facilitates travel : Sometimes seen as an ancillary benefit, the travel itself can be a valuable and eye-opening experience for players. Many kids don’t have an opportunity to travel out of their own area or state, and travel baseball can provide that. 
• Encourages character development : Because travel teams are more serious, there’s a greater emphasis put on things like being on time, demonstrating maximum effort, and having a good attitude.  
• Cost : Travel baseball is expensive — sometimes absurdly so. Families often spend around $2,500 per year, but the costs can be even higher. 
• Time commitment : Even a moderately competitive travel team can consume an entire summer’s worth of weekends. 
• Ultra-competitive : On most travel teams, there’s a balance between player development and winning. What you won’t often find is an “everybody plays” approach. For the most part, the best players will play the most, which makes for a highly-competitive environment. 
• Tougher workouts : This can be a pro or a con, depending on the player’s perspective and goals. Tougher workouts can lead to better outcomes, but they can also be mentally and physically taxing if the player isn’t fully invested.
• Lack of diversity : Because travel baseball is expensive, it has often been criticized for a lack of socioeconomic and racial diversity. 

Travel baseball provides many benefits and can be a valuable opportunity for players who are serious about the game and committed to playing at the highest possible level. However, it’s not without its share of criticism and controversy. 

In an essay titled “ Left Out ,” MLB superstar Andrew McCutchen wrote about how kids like him, who grow up in low-income families, are often excluded from travel baseball and thus systematically disadvantaged when it comes to development and exposure: 

“When you’re a kid from a low-income family who has talent, how do you get recognized? Now, you have to pay thousands of dollars for the chance to be noticed in showcase tournaments in big cities. My parents loved me, but they had to work hard to put food on the table, and there wasn’t much left over. They didn’t have the option of skipping a shift to take me to a tournament over the weekend. […] That’s the challenge for families today. It’s not about the $100 bat. It’s about the $100-a-night motel room and the $30 gas money and the $300 tournament fee. 

[…] If you’re a poor kid with raw ability, it’s not enough.”

McCutchen was lucky: an AAU coach “discovered” him at the age of 13 and covered his travel ball expenses. But most kids from similar situations aren’t so fortunate. 

Why is this important for you, the parent of a child thinking about joining a travel team? 

On one hand, it’s important to be aware of how the systems we participate in affect our society. But on a much more specific level, you should know that your child will be entering a largely homogenous environment.

On top of that, kids from lower-income families can often feel out of place in travel ball — especially if they don’t come to the ballpark with the latest, top-quality gear like their teammates. This social dynamic can have a powerful impact on your child’s experience. 

Additionally, travel baseball means that both your family and your child will be spending less time within your own community.

There’s been a lot written in recent years about how travel baseball may be contributing to the erosion of communities , because it pulls families out of local baseball programs that once served as important civic institutions.

This is evidenced by the sharply declining participation in Little League. In the organization’s Southeast Region (a hotbed for a travel baseball), the number of Little League players has plunged by nearly 50% since 2007 . 

So we’ve come to the biggest question: Is travel ball worth it?

If you want to improve your skills and have the best chance to play in college or the pros, travel baseball is the way to go. But remember: there is a range of cost and time commitment within travel baseball. Your son or daughter doesn’t necessarily have to opt for the most expensive travel team in order to be sufficiently challenged (and later on, to get noticed by college coaches). 

Your goal in evaluating teams should be to find the right balance of: 

• Financial commitment 
• Time commitment
• Intangible sacrifices (school events, community involvement, etc.) 
• Baseball goals

After reading this article, you should have a very solid understanding of what Little League and travel baseball have in common, their differences, and what you should be looking for in a club. 

Remember, this is your child’s choice to. Help them see the pros and cons of each option. And although we stated it earlier, we cannot stress this enough: you cannot dictate your son or daughter’s commitment to the game of baseball. It’s up to them. So, support them in whatever capacity they want to participate. If you do, they’ll never regret or forget the amazing experiences, friends, and lessons learned playing this great game.

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NY Bluebirds Travel Baseball and Girls Fastpitch offer competitive players a chance to further develop their skills in a more intensive format. With a proven track record of success, highly trained coaching staff and comprehensive pro-style training system, along with added private and small group training space, players can take their game to the next level with us.

Why the NY Bluebirds Travel Program?

01. training.

A unique and comprehensive youth training philosophy focused on teaching fundamental skills and player development, combined with a boutique organizational approach.

In addition our players have priority access to our NEST training facility for private and small group training sessions

02. Coaching

Highly experienced and professional coaching is the key to our organization. Many coaches have former professional playing experience, and all have many years of youth baseball coaching experience.

03. Complete Development

Our team training platform includes separate hitting, fielding and pitchers workouts as well as full pre-season Winter training at no extra cost to immerse our players in complete and consistent training.

04. Personal Attention

With two coaches per team at outdoor practice and three coaches per hitting and pitchers practice, your child will get personal instruction.

Our teams feature a MAXIMUM of 13 players for adequate playing time for all members.

05. Tournament Play

All teams play in tournaments! Tournament teams compete in top-level tournament venues around the Northeast with multiple tournament weekends. Travel-level teams play 1-2 tournaments each season.

06. Tournament and Travel Team Options

With tournament and travel level teams we find the right fit for your player to succeed and thrive against competition that will make them a better player and give them opportunities ton contribute regularly.

07. Organization

With a dedicated team in charge of logistics, communication and customer service, we offer an organized structure allowing our families to plan.

As the father of 3 boys we have experience with a number of NYC sports organizations. The Bluebirds standout because they provide top tier coaching and training and also foster a uniquely strong bond among the players within each team and across all age groups. Joining the Bluebirds feels like joining a family and my son is very loyal and committed to the organization.

I was very impressed by the practice. The coaches were able to relate to the kids very well. I liked that they focused from the very beginning on the fundamentals for each skill. My son thought it was a great practice and remarked that the coaches were "the best" he has had. I agree. He has played in several leagues over the past three years and last week was by far the best instruction that I have seen. We are very excited for the season to start.

Coach was always rooting for my son and always had his back. In good and in tough times, he cares about these boys and wants the best for them. I appreciate this immensely.

This weeks tournament in St. Louis was not only fun but a very formative and positive experience for my son. He came home beaming! Super happy! Mentioned the great team dinner at the end. A huge thank you for all the hard work! Unforgettable experience.

The Bluebirds coaching staff are not only seasoned players and coaches, highly effective in teaching the technical aspects of the game, but they adapt to their player's nuances, strengths and weaknesses in order to maximize each child's potential. The Bluebirds staff provide a strong learning experience in hard work, having fun and knowing how to win and lose.

We just want to tell you that we thought the coaches did an amazing job with the team this fall. This team is such a nice group of kids but I think we all agree that every single kid has a VERY strong personality! And the two of them really showed up for the kids and built solid relationships with them as individuals and as a team. The team really improved at so many different aspects of the game, and we give the coaches enormous credit for their hard work. As we've said before, our son is having an amazing experience with the Bluebirds overall and we are just so thrilled and happy to be part of this organization.

The coaches were great and drills were coordinated. The focus on fundamentals of throwing and fielding was excellent. Right number of kids for a team and the kids seem happy. Best practice I have seen in a league to date.

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2024 youth baseball - spring travel tryouts.

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2024 Spring Travel Baseball Tryouts - September/October

By Kevin Daily , 06/05/23, 10:30AM EDT

The Long Valley Baseball Association is excited to announce the upcoming 2024 Spring Travel Tryouts. As we gear up for the next baseball season, we invite all young athletes and their families to be a part of this thrilling opportunity.

With tryouts scheduled for late September or early October 2023, players from 8U to 14U will have the chance to showcase their skills and join the competitive travel teams. Keep an eye out for updates and announcements regarding tryouts on our website and Facebook page.

If you have any questions on the process, please feel free to contact us.

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2023-2024 SBG Sox Youth Team Tryouts

Store code: zyq9f, winter tryouts for the 2024 spring , who are the sbg sox, sbg sox began its 16th season in the 2023 fall. youth teams are classified as 7u - 14u, with teams formed in all locations annually to compete in select travel baseball at all skill levels. teams have an experienced coach that played baseball at a high level. owned by p360 performance sports, player development is the focus, with teams training in our facilities as a team. coaches are usually employees of p360 performance sports. teams will play 2-3 tournaments in the fall, then continue to train in november - january.   the team determines the schedule. 13u & 14u players prepare for high school and showcase baseball. in mississippi,  14u players tryout for an sbg sox hs summer showcase team in may of each year. , how does a player make an  sbg sox team, each summer and winter, sbg sox hosts tryouts in jackson, hattiesburg, gulf coast, birmingham, auburn and mobile al. tryouts are comprehensive and can take over an hour as players are evaluated by staff to determine the skill level & positions of the players. invitations are extended as early as the night of the tryouts, but can take up to two weeks as over 1,500 players will attend summer tryouts. when an invitation is extended, the roster spot is held for 24 hours for the player, then the next player on a roster is extended. rosters are completed by early august and in november.  players and families sign their contracts in august, and the season begins on september 1 of each year, with winter players added for spring. , jackson tryouts , colton hood 205-234-0782 sbg sox youth director [email protected] click time and age group below, hattiesburg tryouts, drew mattison 601-310-3722 sbg sox youth director [email protected] click time and age group below  , gulf coast tryouts, sean steverson 601-850-3548 sbg sox youth director [email protected] click time and age group below, auburn tryouts, marshall whittington 225-726-5256 sbg sox youth director [email protected] click time and age group below, birmingham tryouts, josh pinkham (12 & under) 334-430-7103 sbg sox youth director cj angelo (13u) 203-513-0847 [email protected] click time and age group below, mobile tryouts, hayden roberts 251-373-9905 sbg sox youth director  [email protected] click time and age group below, check in begins 30min before tryout. , p360 performance sports mobile, 842 b schillinger rd s, mobile al 36695, monday, april 8th, 2024,        5:30pm - 13u ,       7:00pm - 14u,        ,          .

Stamford Travel Baseball (Ages 8-13)

STAMFORD TRAVEL BASEBALL (8u-13u)

Our travel program for competitive 8u-14u players (see Ages chart) is branded as Stamford Travel Baseball (STB). 

Teams 8u-12u are  chartered under the  Cal Ripken   division of National Babe Ruth . Under special charter provisions with the City of Stamford, all players in our STB program who are age-eligible for Little League must also be registered for Little League Baseball in Stamford; our STB offering is intended to  supplement ,  not to replace, the Little League experience for players under the age of 13.   

13u and 14u STB teams are chartered as Babe Ruth Baseball teams.

STAMFORD TRAVEL BASEBALL - Spring Season

Our Spring Travel program for players 8u-12u is open only to players registered for Little League baseball in Stamford.  While tryouts occur in the Fall and Winter, teams are not finalized until we confirm that all roster-designated players are registered for Little League.  Players who turn 13 between May 1 and August 31 are exempt from the Little League requirement because they are not eligible for Little League in that year.

13u and 14u

Our Spring Travel program for 13 and 14 year old players , including players who turn 13 between May 1 and September 1 of the current year, is open to all players who are age-eligible.  Tryouts occur in the Fall and Winter.  

STAMFORD TRAVEL BASEBALL - Summer Season

Our Summer Travel program is designed primarily as a continuation of the Spring Season, for players on the 13/14u teams, and to accommodate Little League players who have not been selected (or are too young ) for Little League All-star play, for players in the 8u-12u age range.     

These teams are formed based on Spring play (and supplemental tryouts only as necessary).  

STAMFORD TRAVEL BASEBALL - Fall Season

Our Fall Travel program focuses on player development and skills improvements. Fall teams and age categories are based on the ages the players will be as of the following April 30 (example, a player who is 10 for Summer season is 11 when they advance to the Fall).

These teams are formed based on Spring and Summer play, plus a supplemental tryout generally in August.  

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Baseball Tryouts

Join koa baseball.

We are the area’s top place for player development! We offer two choices for baseball programming: Bethesda Area Baseball League (BABL- in house select) & Waves Travel Baseball. If you are ready to step up your game, see you at one of our tryout dates below.

Tryout Overview

• Players will be considered for all rosters that they are age-eligible for
• Please bring your own equipment to the tryout
• Registration required
• You may get called back for a second tryout
• Expect to hear back via email in 7- 10 days
• Cuts will be made for both BABL & Waves travel teams

Summer 2024 High School Waves Travel Tryouts

2025, 2026, 2027 Waves Travel 

Limited Space! Book your Private Evaluation Today!

Call/Text: 202.924.1949

Questions? Email:   [email protected]

Winter/Spring 2024 BABL Private Evaluations

Tryouts have passed.

Questions? Email: [email protected]

 Call/Text: 202.924.2044

BABL Baseball: Fall 2024

BABL A (Rising 3rd-4th Grade)

When: Tuesday, May 28th

Where: Winston Churchill High School (11300 Gainsborough Road, Potomac MD 20854)

Time: 5:15 pm -6:30 pm

BABL AA (Rising 5th-6th Grade) 

When:  Friday, May 31st

Where: Luxmanor Elementary School (6201 Tilden Ln, Rockville, MD 20852)

Time: 5:45 pm -7:00 pm

BABL AAA (Rising 7th-9th Grade)

When:  Tuesday, May 28th

Time:  6:45 pm – 8:00 pm

Register Now

• BABL is a select program, that’s superior to a local rec league, with less of a commitment compared to travel.
• Multi-sport athletes are encouraged to play BABL
• Commitment: 2 or 3-day commitment with a weekly clinic, team practice, and games on Saturdays. (The number of days is dependent upon grade. 3rd-4th graders meet 2x/week, while 5th-9th graders meet 3x/week)
• BABL A*: 3rd & 4th grade (10u)- Weekday Clinics and Saturday Games (*Exceptional 8U athletes would be “playing up”)
• BABL AA: 5th & 6th grade (12u)-  Monday Team Practice & Thursday Clinic, and Saturday Games
• BABL AAA: 7th & 8th & 9th grade (15u)- Monday Team Practice & Wednesday Clinic, and Saturday Games
• Visit our BABL page for more information and FAQs

Waves Travel Baseball: Winter, Spring, Summer (optional), Fall

• Top-level of baseball at Koa Sports & compete in the highly competitive Northern Virginia Travel League (NVTBL) & MCBA (Montgomery County Baseball Association)
• Commitment: Travel baseball meets 3-4 days per week; 2 practices during the week, a couple of mid-week games a month, and Sunday doubleheaders
• Age Groups:  11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, JV High School, Varsity High School (Academic Showcase Teams), 22U MCBL

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Winter/Spring Travel Baseball Tryouts

Updated 11/29/23

All of our travel teams are still looking for 1 or 2 players and we welcome you to come tryout. We are looking forward to another great season of baseball. We are looking for dedicated, hardworking players with baseball experience. If you think your player is ready to play at the next level, please have them join us.

Simplest way to understand your players age is whatever age your player is on 4/30/23 is the age they play.

Contact Commissioner (Coach A) if interested in tryouts for all ages at [email protected].

8u – Coach A

8u (available for kids 7-8) Must not turn 9 on or before 4/30/24.

9u – Coach Adam/Coach Kevi n

9u Must not turn 10 on or before 4/30/24.

10u – Coach Chad

10u must not turn 11 on or before 4/30/24.

11u – Coach Brandon

11u must not turn 12 on or before 4/30/24

12u – Coach Marlin

12u must not turn 13 on or before 4/30/24.

13u – Coach Ray

13u must not turn 14 on or before 4/30/24.

14u Coach Shawn

14u must not turn 15 on or before 4/30/24.

Contact Coach A if interested in tryouts for all ages at [email protected].

Bowie Boys and Girls Club 2614 Kenhill Drive Suite 113 Bowie, MD 20715 301-262-6113

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Travel team information.

Please send all travel related questions to  [email protected] .

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Travel, Junior Division

Determine Your Child's Age Group

It can be complicated to know what Group your child should register for. To make it easier, we offer this tool to help. (For more details around league age policies, please visit the league's specific page.)

2024 EPBA Travel Tryouts

2024 12U - 14U TRAVEL TEAMS

Tryouts for our 12U, 13U, and 14U Travel teams were held in October, 2023. Eligible players were invited to participate on a 2024 Travel team, but no divisions (A/AA/AAA) were created. Players will participate in Winter Workouts throughout the winter. Specific team divisions are tentatively scheduled to be announced March 8, 2024. 

2024 9U - 11U & 15U TRAVEL TEAMS

Tryouts for 9U, 10U, 11U, and 15U players will take place on Sunday, March 10, 2024 in the Eden Prairie High School dome. 

9U: 8:30 - 10:00 10U: 10:30 - 12:00 11U: 12:30 - 2:00 15U: 2:30 - 4:00

REGISTRATION OPENED FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9 REGISTER HERE

Keep reading for more information about EPBA Travel baseball. If you want EVEN MORE INFO, check out this video for Travel parents. Run time is 1:07 :00 at 1x speed.  

Tryouts will consist of 6 areas of evaluation and will be graded by independent evaluators. The stations for 2024 include:

Stations scored by independent evaluators

• Front toss hitting
• Machine pitch hitting (9U - 11U), Coach pitch hitting (BP - 15U)
• Pitching (this station’s scores are not factored in to the player’s overall evaluation score)

Stations for observation/notation only (no score)

Situational - players will be placed in the field and provided with situations (“there are two outs and runners on first and second”) so age-level coaches can observe how players react when the ball is in play. Situations and player placement will vary.

Following completion of the tryouts, coaches will be assigned to divisions (A/AA/AAA) by the Travel Directors and teams will be selected by the Travel Directors with input from the coaches based upon the tryout scores, coach observation (situational), and position versatility.

On occasion, it is necessary to add or replace a player after the team is selected either because of injury or a player leaves the team. In such an event, if the governing league rules allow for an adjustment to the roster, the Travel Committee Directors, upon consultation with the Head Coach, shall select the new player from the pool of players that originally tried out for the team. If necessary, an additional tryout will be held in order to determine the new player.

Any player who tries out for a Travel Team but is not selected will be placed on one of our Community League teams. The Community League provides a competitive baseball experience with a more limited practice and game schedule. These teams play 13 – 15 regular season games and at least one season ending tournament game – finishing their season by mid-July.

2024 Indoor Practice Schedule (3/26 - 4/28)

Teams will have indoor practice opportunities at Nevers Larkin Baseball in Edina from March 26 - April 28. The schedule can be viewed here . Practices will eventually be added to your team's calendar. 

EPBA Travel Baseball FAQs

Who plays EPBA Travel Baseball? - Updated for 2024

EPBA Travel baseball teams offer a competitive baseball environment with games against teams across the metro area, state, and even the region and up to the national level. EPBA fields travel teams for players ages 9-15 and ages 16-18 for Legion teams.

Players in Grades 3-9 should register with their current grade unless they will have a birthday prior to the cut off date – that is they must not reach the next age group before May 1, 2024. It is permissible for a player to play up from their designated age division to play with their grade, but they may not play down. For example, a 9 year old who is in 4th grade may play in the 10 year old division if he/she is doing so to play with their grade, but an 11 year old may not play in the 10 year old division under any circumstances. The parents have the choice, but it is the recommendation of the Board that kids play with their grade.

Check out the age group calculator on our home page

Travel team players are expected to be 100% committed to playing EPBA baseball during the entire travel baseball season. It is EPBA policy that a travel player not be rostered on or play for another club or tournament team during the course of the EPBA travel season. The season starts with the first practice. 

NEW FOR 2024 - 9U Travel Teams

Beginning in the 2024 season, EPBA will invite 9U (3rd grade) players to participate as a “full” Travel team. All information on this page will apply to 9U players unless otherwise noted. 

What are the EPBA Travel divisions?

Each year, EPBA fields between two to four teams at age levels 9 – 15 (Grades 3-8). Within each age group there may be up to three divisions - AAA, AA, and A. The final number and divisions of travel teams will be determined by registration numbers, field availability, and tryouts (for 2024, 9U will have two AA teams)

How much playing time does each player get?

The EPBA playing time policy is for each player to receive approximately equal playing time over the course of the season for age groups 9-13 (Grades 3-8) and at least 50% playing time over the course of the season for age groups 14- 15 year olds (Grades 8-9). Equal playing time can be affected by player attendance, tournaments vs. league games, and division level. (Also see the “difference between league and tournament games)

How many practices per week?

There are typically 2-3 practices a week and 1-2 league games per week. In total, you should expect 3-4 weeknights of baseball each week. Some could be more and some could be fewer, but 3-4 is what we tell people to expect. Fridays are typically only used when there’s a weekend tournament, though there could be practices or league games scheduled on Fridays. 

What’s the difference between league games and tournament games?

Teams will play a total of 14 league games during the regular season, which runs from about mid-April through the end of June. League games are almost always on weeknights. About half of those will be in Eden Prairie and the other half will be at other associations' home fields. We won't know which other associations are in the same region until closer to the season start (probably March), but they're usually pretty close - Prior Lake, Minnetonka, Burnsville, etc. 

League games are used for the development of players. While everyone wants to win, our coaches are told not to prioritize winning over player development in league games. League games are where players learn, grow, and try new things! Expect to see relatively equal playing time and players trying out lots of positions. 

Tournament games take place on weekends. EPBA teams play in 3 metro-area tournaments and 1 “travel” tournament. One of the metro-area tournaments will be our Eden Prairie-hosted tournament for 10U, 11U, 12U, and 15U teams. The travel tournaments are usually far enough away that it requires overnight stay. While the tournament fees are paid for by the association, families are responsible for the costs associated with travel.

Tournaments are more competitive as they are the opportunity to qualify for the two State tournaments - Metro Baseball Tournaments and the Gopher State Tournament of Champions. Each tournament has a slightly different situation, but in general, teams earn bids to one or both State tournaments when they win first or second place in a tournament. Since teams are playing competitively, expect to see coaches be more strategic about how they use players. Playing time may not be equal and players are more likely to play in the positions where they’re most likely to help the team be successful. 

What is the overall time commitment for a travel team?

For the 2023 season, there will be 14 regular season league games. These games are normally scheduled for weeknights (Mon. - Thurs.) and can begin as early as April 15 for ages 9-14 and end of May for 15U (after the High School season has concluded). League play must be finished by June 30. Regular season games usually begin around 6:00 PM; some games may be scheduled as late as 8:00 PM. Players are expected to report 30 to 60 minutes before game time. Coaches may schedule additional scrimmages and occasionally, regular league games may be scheduled for weekends.

Coaches may choose for their teams to participate in Metro Baseball League (our league) playoffs, which will begin July 7th, take a break during the middle of July for state championships, and then resume July 23-25 for teams who make the league championships. 

Teams at ages 9-15 will participate in 3-4 weekend state-qualifying tournaments. EPBA teams play in 3 metro-area tournaments and 1 “travel” tournament. One of the metro-area tournaments will be our Eden Prairie-hosted tournament for 10U, 11U, 12U, and 15U teams. The travel tournaments are usually far enough away that it requires overnight stay. While the tournament fees are paid for by the association, families are responsible for the costs associated with travel.Coaches may decide to add additional tournaments with the agreement of team families. These additional tournaments will likely be at an additional cost to families.

Depending upon a team's success in qualifying play, teams at ages 9-15 may earn a berth in 1-2 state tournaments to be played in mid July. Tournament dates will be posted below as they are identified. Tournaments are never/very rarely scheduled for Memorial Day weekend or Fourth of July weekend, making those weekends safe bets for scheduling family trips.

What is the financial commitment for a travel team?

The following fees are associated with participating on an EPBA Travel Team:

Other costs:

Travel to and from tournaments, hotel costs, and any other costs associated with travel are the responsibility of families.

Players should have their own equipment (players are required to purchase and maintain their own helmets), though some equipment is available for players to borrow if needed. See below for equipment regulations.

Because the EPBA believes that no young baseball player should ever be denied the opportunity to participate in America's favorite pastime because of temporary family economic problems, we provide financial assistance to families in need. Should you need financial assistance in order to participate in one of our leagues, please contact us.

Is my family required to volunteer?

As a volunteer-run organization, EPBA depends on volunteers to sustain the association. The required volunteer time is 8 hours per player. EPBA's primary fundraisers are hosting two tournaments and operating concessions. There are additional volunteering opportunities in the concession stand at Miller Field for EPBA-hosted tournaments and league games alongside a paid employee. With increased concessions profits, our goal is to provide expanded off-season training at little costs to families. 

Please plan to volunteer during one (or both!) of the 2024 EPBA Tournaments hosted at Miller Park on May 10-12 (10-12 AA/AAA, our larger tournament) and May 31 - June 2 (10-12A and 15AA/AAA).

Each family is required to provide a $450 check at the start of the season per travel player as a volunteer hours deposit. The check will be destroyed once your family fulfills its volunteer requirement; otherwise it will be cashed at the end of the fall ball season in late October. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR PLAYER'S NAME AND AGE LEVEL IN THE MEMO OF THE CHECK. 12U - 14U players should bring their check to a February Winter Workout. 9U - 11U and 15U players should bring their check to tryouts on 3/10.

If you prefer to make a $450 donation in lieu of volunteering your time, please note in the memo line of your $450 volunteer check, or venmo @EPBaseballAssoc and comment accordingly.

Players of Board Members do not need to bring a volunteer check. Players of Head Coaches will have their volunteer hours fulfilled, however it's immensely helpful for our bookkeeping if you bring a check anyway.

Who coaches EPBA Travel teams and how are they selected?

Most EPBA Travel Coaches are parent volunteers who are donating their time and energy to coaching Travel Baseball. All coaches are interviewed and selected by the Travel Directors. Coaches are selected for their combination of baseball knowledge and ability to use baseball as a vehicle to teach life skills and lessons to our community’s youth. 

The selection process begins in the fall of the previous year and coaches are identified by age-level but not division (A/AA/AAA). The final placement of coaches does not happen until tryouts have concluded. Should two coaches' players make the same level, the committee will place the players in the spot that they earned, not where there is a coaching need. Coaches can/will be added after the try-out process to fill any open roles at the discretion of the Travel Directors.

Financial assistance available to families in need

Because the EPBA believes that no young baseball player should ever be denied the opportunity to participate in America’s favorite pastime because of temporary family economic problems we provide financial assistance to families in need.

Should you need financial assistance in order to participate in the league, please contact the Treasurer for more information.

2024 Tournaments

The following are the tournaments that have been scheduled for the 2024 season. Tournaments are subject to change.

In addition, your team may qualify for one or two state tournaments. Please be sure to keep the following weekends open - if your team qualifies, they'll need YOU to be there! State tournaments are included in your season commitment:

2024 MBT State Championship Dates

July 12-14: 10AAA, 11AAA, 12AAA, 13AAA, 14AAA, 15AAA, 14AA, 10A, 12A, 13A July 19-21: 9AAA, 9AA, 10AA, 11AA, 12AA, 13AA, 15AA, 11A, 14/15A

2024 Gopher State Tournament of Champions Dates

July 12-14: 10AA, 11AA, 12AA, 13AA, 15AA July 19-21: 10AAA, 11AAA, 12AAA, 13AAA, 14AAA, 15AAA July 26-28: 9AAA, 9AA, 10A, 11A, 12A, 13A. 14AA, 14/15A

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Travel and All-Stars Program

12u travel roster, 11u travel roster, 10u travel roster, 9u travel roster, 8u travel roster, spring travel.

Clifton Park Baseball provides an opportunity for players in the 8 through 12 year old divisions to compete against teams from nearby communities through its spring travel program. Players are selected to participate on travel teams after tryouts that are held each fall. Travel baseball requires a high level of commitment and interest from the families and players who participate. Our travel teams practice during the winter months and have at least 2 practices and/or games each during the travel season. In addition, players who participate in travel baseball are required to play in our Spring recreation program.

Summer All-Stars

Clifton Park Baseball offers opportunities for players ages 7 to 12 to continue to playing baseball during the summer at local, regional and even national tournaments. Thanks to the strong commitment of our players and families, we are able to field multiple tournament teams each summer.

Players must participate in Spring Recreation to be eligible for Summer All-Stars.

Summer tournament teams are selected in June. Information on the selection process and time commitment expected from players who participate on our tournament teams will be distributed in May, but if you have questions please contact your child's division director.

Fall Travel

Clifton Park Baseball provides an opportunity for players in the 9 through 12 year old divisions to compete against teams from nearby communities through its fall travel program.  Players move up an year in the fall, for example players in the 8 year old division in the spring/summer are considered 9 year olds in the fall.  Players must participate in spring travel and/or summer all-stars to be eligible to play fall travel.

The travel and all-star programs are organized and managed by the Vice President of Cal-Ripken and Division Directors.

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Georgia baseball's charlie condon is eyeing di records halfway through the 2024 season.

There is a common saying in the world of sports, "records are meant to be broken."

In the case of Georgia baseball standout Charlie Condon, he is already familiar with breaking records. As a redshirt freshman last season, Condon hit 25 home runs to surpass the SEC freshman home run record set by Vanderbilt’s Pedro Alvarez in 2006. But this season, the Georgia slugger is looking for bigger fish — NCAA records.

At roughly the halfway point of the 2024 season, the 20-year-old is slashing .481/.593/1.130 (Batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage) paired with a Division I-leading 19 home runs — video game numbers.

While plenty of games remain on the schedule, he has a realistic chance of breaking the all-time single-season DI record for batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

Let’s break down some of the stats to see just how close Condon is to some of these marks.

Slugging percentage

The DI single-season slugging record has stood since 1985, set by Oklahoma State’s Pete Incaviglia at 1.140. Four days ago, Condon was on pace to smash this mark, slugging 1.232, but a combined 0-9 at the plate in his last two games knocked him just .01 below Incaviglia's mark. If Condon can get back on track, slugging will be the record closest in his sights.

Your regularly scheduled @CharlieCondon14 homer Top 3️⃣ 🐶 2 🟠 3 📺 https://t.co/arjGftp6V0 (SECN) 🎧 https://t.co/8udSNmg0EJ 📊 https://t.co/1cmmOj0i3Y #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/a7hKQmLQgV — Georgia Baseball (@BaseballUGA) March 30, 2024

On-base percentage

This statistic has only been calculated since 2008, so it may not merit the same awe as a 30-40-year-old record. Nevertheless, since then, only one batter has cracked the .600 OBP mark — Florida Atlantic’s Nolan Schanuel in 2023 with a .612 OBP. 

Condon, sitting at .593, can certainly claw back to this mark, taking down Schanuel just one year later. The 6’6” slugger can keep pace with Schanuel, especially considering his 26:17 strikeout-to-walk ratio and the eight times he has been hit by a pitch.

LATEST RANKINGS: Here are the latest college baseball rankings

Batting average

This one will be tough — not impossible — but very tough. New Mexico’s Keith Hagman set the single-season mark at .551 in 1980, which is absolutely absurd. But still, it's worth mentioning for Condon, who just went 5-6 against No. 4 Tennessee on March 30.

On a more reasonable note, no batter has hit over the .500 mark since 1991. Condon would become the 16th player ever to eclipse a .500 batting average.

Total bases

This record is not completely in Condon’s control as it will depend on Georgia’s postseason success, but if the Bulldogs can make a run, it is feasible. Condon, MLB.com’s No. 4 Draft prospect, currently has 122 total bases, an average of 4.2 per game, and 15 more than anyone else in DI.

Incaviglia also holds this single-season record with 285 total bases. The Oklahoma State slugger played 75 games in his record-setting 1985 season, averaging 3.8 bases per game. So, hypothetically, if Georgia can prolong its season, Condon could have total bases in his sights.

MCWS: 2024 Men's College World Series scores, schedule

Other notable numbers

No batter has led DI in batting average and slugging percentage since Middle Tennessee State's Bryce Brentz in 2009.

Incaviglia holds the single-season home run record (48) as well. (Incaviglia holds a lot of records if you are catching a trend). This number, to be fair, seems a bit out of reach for Condon. However, there have only been four batters all-time to hit the 40-homer mark, with the last occurrence in 1997. If Condon can keep leaving the ballpark at the rate he has been, he could become just the fifth player in history to hit the 40 mark.

The former walk-on has taken the college baseball world by storm this season, and while he may not break all of these records — or even any of them — he is having one of the best seasons college baseball has ever seen. Now, we just wait and see.

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Di baseball news.

• USA Baseball names 2024 Golden Spikes Award midseason watch list
• Georgia baseball's Charlie Condon is eyeing DI records halfway through the 2024 season
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Another MLB jersey flap: Where are the alternate uniforms?

Major League Baseball’s uniform problem has now affected the most basic function to outfit a team: Availability.

The Texas Rangers and Milwaukee Brewers were both slated to wear the popular City Connect uniforms for Friday night games, per their end-of-week customs. There was just one hang-up: Fanatics, the company responsible for producing the Nike-designed uniforms, has not delivered them.

So the Rangers wore their standard whites for a nationally-televised clash against the Houston Astros while the Brewers shelved their “Brew Crew” ode to beer, brats and Lake Michigan as they took the field against Seattle.

Officials from the Rangers and Brewers intimated to reporters that missing deliveries accounted for the jersey scrambling. Friday marked the ninth day of MLB's regular season.

Yet the missing jerseys should not have come as a surprise, according to Fanatics.

MLB SALARIES: Baseball's top 25 highest-paid players in 2024

The company, which has produced MLB jerseys since 2017, measures players for uniforms during spring training and then asks teams to prioritize which uniforms they'd like delivered first, with the first of six windows coming March 18 and the last on May 27.

"In early December, each MLB Club was given shipping windows and asked to prioritize their on-field uniform needs to be delivered on specific dates between March 18 and mid-May," Fanatics said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports. "The different delivery dates are intentional given that each player has parts of their uniform customized during Spring Training. Once those measurements are taken and sent back to the facility, there are different lead times to make the jerseys and pants, which inform how teams prioritize their uniform deliveries. This is the normal process each season.

"Uniforms prioritized in the first two ship windows this season — March 18 and April 1 — have already been delivered on-time or early. The remaining jerseys that are due to teams in the final prioritized shipping windows, between now and mid-May, are on track to be delivered early and ahead of schedule, by April 23. This is aligned with when teams receive the bulk of their jerseys each season based on the manufacturing process after Spring Training."

With scrutiny of the new Nike-designed jerseys at a high level, players, fans and media have identified at least five teams who have not yet worn City Connect or other alternate jerseys on their traditional days of use. The Mariners did not wear their cream Sunday uniforms and the Minnesota Twins reportedly did not have the pants to round out their Twin Cities alternate fits. The Mariners reached out to fans to explain the Sunday switch, saying the jerseys hadn't been delivered yet. Additionally, the St. Louis Cardinals reportedly will not have their alternate blue tops until June, although Fanatics said all jerseys and pants will be delivered by no later than May 7.

The 2024 jerseys have been under fire virtually from the moment they appeared in spring training, due to the reduced point size of lettering, to players sweating through their jerseys once the season has begun, along with a general bargain-basement feel from the products. The uniforms are designed by Nike, which opted for a new fabric this year, and produced by Fanatics, which contracts to produce uniforms for virtually every major sports league and the NCAA.

MLB introduced the Nike-designed City Connect line in 2021 to great fanfare and immediate popularity. The most recent releases have, objectively, lacked the creativity and panache of the earlier releases, evidenced by the Philadelphia Phillies' City Connect release earlier Friday . Those jerseys retail for up to $175 .

Kettle Moraine, South Milwaukee migrate south for early baseball games

As a blustery wintery mix continues to threaten playing fields across the Milwaukee area over the latter part of March and early April, some baseball programs are migrating south for more hospitable playing conditions.

Kettle Moraine and South Milwaukee found their way to Tennessee for games last week, starting their seasons with trips that fostered team bonds on and off the field.

It was the second trip for Kettle Moraine and head coach James Wolbert, who came across Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro prior to arranging the trip to compete in last season's Spring Classic. The tournament, hosted by Riverdale for 31 years, features programs from numerous states competing in three games each throughout a week-long tournament at the end of March.

The Lasers went 2-1 with a 14-0 win over Deerfield (Illinois), a 10-5 win over Beech (Tennessee) and a 5-2 loss to Riverdale. Beyond the games however, the trip was highlighted by activities such as hikes, swimming, pickleball, basketball and building campfires near the rental house where they stayed at. Phones are collected by the coaching staff while at the house, as players are encouraged to enjoy their present company.

"I do this not to punish them, but to spend quality time together," Wolbert said. "They spend enough time looking at those devices. It's nice to see them just be kids and enjoy the time together."

South Milwaukee coach Ben Parlier said his team's trip to Powell, just northwest of Knoxville, came about through an idea the coach had for a multifaceted journey for his program.

Class of 2022 graduate Nate Snead is a sophomore standout on the pitching staff of the Tennessee Volunteers, and their home schedule happened to line up with South Milwaukee's spring break. Parlier reached out to a few Knoxville area coaches to arrange exhibition games, creating a memorable week of watching, practicing and playing baseball outside for the first time this spring.

"It's clear the baseball fraternity is alive and well, as I had not known any of the coaches prior to this trip," Parlier said. "The coaches trusted that we would respect their facilities and offered to open them up whenever necessary. The coaches all went out of their way to ensure that we had every opportunity possible to make the trip a success."

Visits with Snead also left an impression on current student athletes for the Rockets. The sophomore is the ERA leader on a staff that leads the No. 4 ranked program in the nation as of the start of April.

"Nate went out of his way to spend time with our team, attended our games on Thursday and made sure we could get down to the field and take some pictures with him," Parlier said. "Our team was able to see that anyone, from anywhere, can accomplish their dreams through dedication, hard work and the help of others."

For both coaches, simply getting some warmer weather to practice in while fostering deeper bonds among teammates was well worth the challenges of arranging the trip.

"The biggest thing is creating a family atmosphere within the team," Wolbert said. "Baseball is a crazy game. In my experience, the most successful teams are not the most talented ones, they are the ones that are the closest and have the tightest bonds. Willing to sacrifice their own successes for the team's."

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NV obtains new photos and videos of the elimination of traitorous ex-MP Ilya Kyva near Moscow

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

Photos and videos of the elimination of pro-Russian ex-MP Ilya Kyva in a Moscow suburb were obtained by NV from sources in Ukraine’s SBU Security Service on Dec. 11.

This special operation was meticulously planned and successfully executed, the SBU informant confirmed.

Read also: “Surrender for your own safety” advises Ukrainian intelligence to traitors

In one imgae, Kyva's lifeless body can be seen in the snow surrounded by bloodstains. The location where “deserved punishment awaited the traitor” is near the place that Kyva filmed many anti-Ukrainian videos, sources say.

Kyva was a high-priority target, SBU said. His daily routines, movements, and habits were extensively studied in the operation. Despite strong security, the SBU managed to eliminate him just outside Moscow.

“This [Kyva’s elimination] serves as a signal to all traitors and military criminals who have sided with the enemy. Remember: Russia will not protect you. Death is the only prospect awaiting enemies of Ukraine,” SBU Chief Vasyl Malyuk said.

Ukraine’s SBU eliminated Kyva in a special operation in Moscow Oblast on Dec. 6, said NV sources in the intelligence service.

Kyva's “bloodied body”, discovered with a shot through the head, was found in the park of an elite club hotel in the Moscow region on Dec.6, Russian propaganda Telegram channels reported.

Read also: Former Ukrainian MP and traitor Illia Kyva found dead in Moscow Oblast – NV sources

Kyva was shot with an unidentified firearm and died from the injuries on the scene, the Russian Investigative Committee claimed.

Kyva had fled to Spain ahead of Russia’s full-scale invasion. He then appeared in Russian propaganda broadcasts in Moscow, actively spreading lies about Ukraine. Kyva also sought “political asylum” and citizenship from the enemy aggressor.

The Ukrainian parliament stripped Kyva of his MP status in March 2022, charging him with treason. He was additionally charged with publicly calling for a violent change in the constitutional order and propaganda on behalf of the aggressor state in Aug. 2023.

We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron !

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

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Larry Lucchino, Top Executive at Three M.L.B. Teams, Dies at 78

He oversaw design of new ballparks for the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres, as well as renovations for Fenway Park with the Boston Red Sox.

By Richard Sandomir

Larry Lucchino, who as a top executive with the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres oversaw the design of modern stadiums that evoke their surroundings — Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore and Petco Park in San Diego — and who as president of the Boston Red Sox helped to preserve Fenway Park for generations, died on Tuesday at his home in Brookline, Mass. He was 78.

His family announced the death but did not give a cause. He had been treated for cancer three times.

Mr. Lucchino became president of the Red Sox in 2002 with the ascension of new ownership, led by John Henry, the team’s principal owner, and Tom Werner. In Mr. Lucchino’s 14 years with the team, the Red Sox won three World Series titles — the first of which, in 2004, broke an 86-year drought — and reached the postseason seven times. He oversaw improvements to Fenway Park that included installing seats above the Green Monster, the 37-foot-high left field wall, a well as expanding crowded concourses and creating new concession areas.

Rather than replacing it with a new stadium, Mr. Lucchino envisioned a renovation that would keep Fenway, which opened in 1912, viable for decades.

“Have you learned nothing?” Mr. Lucchino said to Charles Steinberg, another Red Sox executive, as quoted in a profile in The Sports Business Journal in 2021 . “You can’t destroy the Mona Lisa. You preserve the Mona Lisa.”

Mr. Lucchino’s combative, competitive personality played into the rivalry between the Red Sox and the New York Yankees. In 2002, after the Yankees signed the Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui and the Cuban pitcher Jose Contreras within a few days, Mr. Lucchino told The New York Times, “ The evil empire extends its tentacles even into Latin America.”

The name stuck — even as Boston’s success in the coming years exceeded that of the Yankees. A year later, Mr. Lucchino further described the Yankees-Red Sox dynamic:

“It’s white hot,” he told The Times . “It’s a rivalry on the field, it’s a rivalry in the press, it’s a rivalry in the front office, it’s a rivalry among the fan base.”

The feeling was mutual.

Interviewed by The New York Times in 2007, Hank Steinbrenner, a son of the Yankees’ principal owner at the time, George Steinbrenner, said of the Red Sox , “If it wasn’t for the rivalry with us, they’d be just another team.”

Lawrence Lucchino was born on Sept. 6, 1945, in Pittsburgh. His father, Dominic, was a bar owner who later worked for the Pennsylvania court system. His mother, Rose (Rizzo) Lucchino, was a secretary and an accounting clerk.

Mr. Lucchino played second base on his high school baseball team, which won a city championship in Pittsburgh. At Princeton, he was a guard on the basketball team — the star of which was Bill Bradley — that made it to the Final Four of the 1965 N.C.A.A. men’s tournament before losing in the semifinals to the University of Michigan. Mr. Lucchino earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Princeton in 1967.

He graduated from Yale Law School in 1971 and two years later joined the House Judiciary Committee as a staff lawyer and worked on the Watergate impeachment inquiry of President Richard M. Nixon. One of his colleagues was Hillary Clinton.

In 1974, Mr. Lucchino was hired by the powerful Washington law firm Williams & Connolly. Over the next 14 years, he became a partner at the firm as well as an executive of the Orioles and the Washington Redskins (now the Commanders) because Edward Bennett Williams, the celebrated trial lawyer who led the firm, owned interests in both teams.

“My career in baseball is a result of him, the opportunity he gave me, and the faith he had in me,” Mr. Lucchino told The Boston Globe in 2002.

After Mr. Williams’s death in 1988 , Mr. Lucchino officially became the Orioles’ president. In that role, he oversaw development of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, which opened in 1992 with brick and steel aesthetics and asymmetrical field dimensions reminiscent of early-20th-century ballparks like Forbes Field, the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, which he had gone to as a boy. The old B & O Railroad warehouse became a unique backdrop beyond right field.

Camden Yards is credited with inspiring other Major League Baseball teams to build idiosyncratic ballparks, often in downtown settings.

Mr. Lucchino worked on the Camden Yards, Petco and Fenway projects with Janet Marie Smith, who served as an Orioles and Red Sox executive and a consultant to the Padres. She described Mr. Lucchino as a strong-willed personality who cajoled architects and others to create the best results.

“He was always challenging everyone,” Ms. Smith said in a phone interview. “He’d say, ‘This is mediocre, we’re not settling for it.’” She added that he had disdained using the word “stadium” — which evoked the round, concrete facilities built in the 1960s and ’70s that housed baseball and football teams — “and he would fine you $1 if you said the ‘S-word.’”

Mr. Lucchino left the Orioles in late 1993, shortly after the team was purchased by Peter Angelos, who died last month . The next year, Mr. Lucchino was part of a group that unsuccessfully bid for his hometown Pirates. But in late December of 1994, he pivoted to become the president and a minority owner of the Padres. It was not a great time to buy a team: The players’ union was in the midst of a strike that had wiped out the postseason.

“The team was at the bottom of the hill,” Mr. Lucchino told The Sports Business Journal. “We had the worst attendance, the worst imagery, the worst revenue, the worst won-loss record. Probably the worst uniforms. It couldn’t have been any worse.”

The team improved on the field under his direction; it reached the World Series in 1998, but was swept by the Yankees. However, Mr. Lucchino was probably best known for his development work on Petco Park, which opened in 2004, three years after he left the team.

“He felt that Petco needed context, that it needed to be something about San Diego,” Ms. Smith said.

Petco’s features include a granite exterior; an old brick building that was incorporated into the interior of left field; a mini-park beyond the outfield with a small baseball diamond and a statue of the Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn; and spectacular views of San Diego Harbor from the upper deck.

Mr. Lucchino resigned from the Padres to join the Red Sox, where he helped to engineer a renaissance. One of his early hires, Theo Epstein, then 28, became the youngest general manager in baseball history and the architect of a roster overhaul that won the World Series in 2004 and 2007. (Mr. Epstein later moved to the Chicago Cubs organization, where he crafted their 2016 World Series-winning team.)

Mr. Lucchino is survived by his brother, Frank. His marriage to Stacey Johnson ended in divorce.

For his final baseball move, Mr. Lucchino went to the minor leagues. After leaving the Red Sox in 2015, he joined with other investors to buy the Pawtucket Red Sox in Rhode Island, the organization’s top minor league team. After the state’s failure to pass a stadium financing package, he moved the team to Worcester, Mass., where Polar Park opened in 2021.

Late last year, Mr. Lucchino sold the team — referred to as the WooSox — to Diamond Baseball Holdings, part of a private equity firm that owns 30 minor league teams in the United States and Canada.

“At 78, and after 44 years in baseball,” he said in a news release , “I believe it’s time to have a succession plan, one that assures a commitment to baseball and a commitment to Worcester.”

Richard Sandomir is an obituaries writer. He previously wrote about sports media and sports business. He is also the author of several books, including “The Pride of the Yankees: Lou Gehrig, Gary Cooper and the Making of a Classic.” More about Richard Sandomir